Audiobook.

3.5. I listened to the audiobook and found myself going back and re-listening at certain points, mostly trying to keep characters straight, but by the end I felt like the characters were more distinct in my head. Good start to the series (and bonus for James Langton narration; he was already a favorite of mine from the Charles Lenox mystery series by Charles Finch).

3.5 stars. Nice start to a new series

Read as a buddy read with Hilary. I was not enthusiastic about the story’s premise and wasn’t even sure I’d read the whole book, but I liked it much more than I’d anticipated. Even so, without a reading partner it would have been harder to get through. I’m not planning to read any additional books in this series now but I might read further books some point.

I did like the book. For me it was 3 stars all the way through and I enjoyed it more and more as I read on. I thought the parts toward the end were stronger than those that came more toward the beginning.

The characters were kind of hard to tell apart/remember for a long time. Hilary used the term “they blend in a bit” and that is a perfect way of describing it. As I read I did care about them and their stories but I didn’t feel emotionally invested in them the way I do with books I tend to love and really like, such as those in this author’s Ruth Galloway series. The last chapters I got more interested in them and I loved the twist about two of them and how they were related.

I did guess the identity of the culprit and some of the reasoning, additional storyline about the murderer. They were my first choice from very early on. I was never sure though until close to the reveal. It was rather clever.

I see how this series might go, 4 particular connected characters solving crimes. Maybe 5, or 6, or more. I know more minor characters might keep appearing in the books. HUGE spoiler! Do not read if you haven’t read this book 1 and might someday:

Spoiler

Edgar, Max, Diablo, and Ruby. Also maybe Bill, and the Major, and others. I love the Ruby-Max connection and the Ruby-Edgar relationship too. Rose and others too. I expect readers will see most of the remaining characters again.

ETA: I realized I missed not having any dog and cat characters. So far they've appeared in other books I've read by this author.

This review is based on the audio book version. I enjoyed this post-WWII mystery set in Brighton. Unlike some mystery novels, the premise for the relationship between the main characters (a police officer and a stage magician) is a solid one - they served together in the war.

I did guess the identity of the murderer before the end, but not everything about that person's motivations. It was an exciting story, with characters I enjoyed. I'll be looking for other things by this author.

Fun new series

I have loved the Ruth Galloway series and was nervous that I wouldn't like The Zig Zag Girl. I loved the post war Brighton setting and the characters.

Predictable plot. Confusing references, lots of "what does that mean?" I.E. was it 1950's slang? was it Army slang?

Eh.

OK, but predictable.

Enjoyed the narration.

This was a fun mystery and the first in a series.